Cause of George building collapse still to be determined

CAPE TOWN - Investigations are still underway to determine the cause of the deadly building collapse in George. 

Thirty-four workers died when a partially completed apartment block toppled in May.

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The disaster triggered an 11-day search and recovery operation.

The dust may have settled on the hollowed-out pit where a five-storey, 42-unit block of flats was being built.

But the MEC responsible for Disaster Management, Anton Bredell, warns the work is not done yet.

"There is still lots of investigations and facts to determine. Then there’s the process to hold those responsible accountable."

After all 62 artisans were accounted for, the police took the lead at the site. 

Thereafter, it was handed over to the labour authorities. 

Multiple agencies, including the labour department, the engineering council of South Africa, and the Western Cape government are investigating what’s been called "South Africa's worst disaster in the built environment".

In the days that followed, the engineering council suspended the engineer who signed off on plans for the residential project.

Atholl Mitchell’s track record is under review after the council confirmed it’s investigating a complaint laid against him in December 2023, months before the George building collapse. 

Mitchell faced another complaint in 2020 that was dismissed due to insufficient evidence. 

For the survivors and the victims' families, still haunted by this tragedy, investigators say it will take at least 12 months to conclude their work.